Category: Circular Sock Machine (CSM)

I have had some false starts getting to know my circular sock machine (csm). There is a huge learning curve and I actually think it is harder than hand-knitting a sock with double pointed needles. One little misstep, and you have to start over. I have had a lot of little missteps, but as always, learning from your mistakes and trying to fix them is the best way to learn. I am really understanding the process now, I can pick up dropped stitches on the machine like a champ and have been able to crank out a complete short sock with a good heel and toe that fits. It won’t be a pair, since I am working on sampling yarns and techniques right now.

I got the tension right to get a sock that fits well around the foot without being too loose and learned how many rows to crank for my foot size. I even felt good enough about itto graft the toe closed. Many CSM knitters Kitchener from the inside (purl side) with the waste yarn in place, and it worked like a charm. Maybe I will break out the good sock yarn in a day or two to try to make a complete pair. Hopefully I can start reliably knitting socks for sale by June 1 and offering a service to knit sock with your yarn.

I went to Cape Girardeau, Missouri this past week to pick up my circular sock knitting machine and participate in the Annual Open House and crank-in that is sponsored by the Erlbacher Gearhart Knitting Machine Company. They make reproductions of the antique Gearhart sock knitting machines that I have mentioned previously. I love to hand knit socks, but cannot keep up with my family’s demand much less make enough to sell. Socks also take long enough to knit that a pair would cost over $100 to make it worth my while to sell them. Since one of my goals is sales, I wanted a hand cranked machine that worked correctly right at the start. I also wanted one that I could easily get extra cylinders and ribbers for so I can make different sizes. For those reasons, I chose to buy a new one instead of an antique.

Their usual models of the machine come in green and yellow (think John Deere colors) or red. I got one of their last Pink Lady machines, a special paint job on 25 of them. Part of the profits went to support a fundraiser in honor of a friend of the Erlbacher family who died of breast cancer. The money would be used to help fund mammograms and support breast cancer patients in need. A woman in Chicago had purchased the machine, but after 2 or 3 weeks decided she did not like knitting on a machine and preferred to knit her socks by hand after all. (The Erlbachers refer to this as “stick knitting”.) So I got it at a good price with some extras.

I had a great time there and learned the basics of how to use the machine. In fact, I even learned how to use the ribber which is something they don’t recommend learning until you have knit a few sock with a turned hem and stockinette or mock rib leg. I decided to make sure I knew how to use it while I had someone by my side to help and to make sure my machine worked correctly with the ribber dial on. I am currently working on the matching sock to the one I knit at the crank-in.